Digital Domain Releases First End-to-End Suite for Publishing VR Experiences

Building on the company’s legendary visual effects capabilities, Digital Domain has rounded out its VR offering with new hardware, software and cloud services, including a highly portable new spherical camera, advanced livestreaming capabilities, new integrations with post-production suites and a cloud-based VR distribution platform. 

Digital Domain is believed to be the only company to offer solutions and services spanning creative development, visual effects production, 360 capture hardware and software, real-time stitching and encoding, livestreaming, application development and content distribution. 

“VR experiences can transport audiences to new levels of engagement,” said Amit Chopra, Executive Director and CEO of North America, Digital Domain. “But the process can be a challenge for brands entering this new realm. We’ve made it much easier for our clients and partners by introducing a comprehensive suite of VR broadcast solutions that not only opens their eyes to what is possible but also dramatically reduces the production time and expense involved in bringing new VR content to consumers.”

Highly Portable Spherical Camera for Livestreaming VR

Digital Domain has introduced a new and highly portable spherical camera that is optimized for livestreaming 360 broadcasts and situational awareness applications. Kronos provides 4K, 60 FPS video through a single cable for both power and data, allowing rapid setup and remote configuration. The compact size of the Kronos opens new opportunities for placement while maintaining a high-quality output. 

The camera offers 12-bit image processing, integrated 360 audio, sports gyro-stabilization, and is weather resistant

Advanced Production Capabilities

Digital Domain has long been a pioneer in VR production, and has added to an impressive list of VR industry firsts, includingits patented live-stitching software, which enables real-time broadcasting of immersive video content. 

It offers sophisticated techniques for mixing graphics from various sources without distortion in the 360 sphere and streaming real-time spatial 3D audio. There are advanced director's tools such as multi-camera streams and “virtual cameraman” capabilities for engaging storytelling and simplifying integration with traditional linear television. Users additionally can leverage Digital Domain’s legendary visual effects capabilities to enrich the VR experience.

Cloud-based VR Distribution System

Digital Domain also unveiled a new system for managing the delivery of live and recorded VR content. Digital Domain offers multi-tenant content organization, broadcast-grade distribution control and fine-grained analytics. 

The advantages include:

• Support for single upload and delivery to multiple destinations—mobile, web and head-mounted displays (HMDs)
• Platform-agnostic distribution (iOS, Android, Samsung Gear VR, PSVR, Google Daydream, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift and more)
• Features for content curation, geo-fencing, adaptive delivery, interactivity hotspots and embedded ads
• SDKs and APIs for rolling-out 360 content or embedding it into existing mobile apps and websites
• Dynamically customizable apps across every major VR device